Tanzanians search for ferry victims

Many residents had friends or relatives on board

Christine Otieno Central Tanzania

Twelve bodies have so far been recovered from the crocodile-infested Kilombero River in central Tanzania, as rescuers continue to look for victims from last Thursday's ferry disaster.

If the government had sent divers here immediately maybe some of my friends would be alive

Ramadhan Mtambala

The tragedy occurred when a platoon ferrying villagers and cars across the river capsized near the town of Mahenge.

Early figures had put the number of those feared dead at over 100, but after a security meeting, heads of the region changed the figure and now say the number is closer to 35.

People in the region, however, say the death toll could be much higher than the official figure.

Extra load

When the ferry capsized many farmers together with children and local fishermen were on board, according to locals.

The Kilombero river is flooded

The government revised their figures after realizing that only 58 people had been listed as having paid for the ferry.

But locals say that the fishermen, children and farmers who use the ferry daily rarely ever paid for it, and could therefore not have been listed.

Tempers are running high, as residents feel the government has not acted with enough efficiency to rescue or recover any of the victims.

"I was on that platoon myself and I am lucky to be alive," trader Ramadhan Mtambala says. "If the government had sent divers here immediately, maybe some of my friends would be alive."

'Swift reaction'

Government officials have come under heavy criticism from the locals in the manner in which the rescue and recovery operation has been conducted.

So far the promised navy divers from Dar es Salaam have yet to show up at the scene of the accident.

But the Kilombero District Commissioner, David Holela, insists that officials are doing their best.

"The government reacted swiftly, we sent a helicopter here to see if any bodies could be spotted from the air," Mr Holela says. "The navy divers are on their way. This is an accident: No person can be blamed for it."

Currently local fishermen armed only with sticks and dugout canoes are working on the recovery of bodies.